Categories: Tours Tours Family-Friendly

Boat Tours

Author: Molly Fergus

A Three-Hour Tour: Chicago By Water
Focusing largely on city history and architecture, boat tours along the Chicago River and the lakefront flaunt, discuss and expose one of the world's most striking skylines, showcasing just what about this Midwestern city is so special. From the history of the Great Fire to the origin of the first skyscraper, boat tours offer a well-rounded and informative overview of the city for first-time visitors and Chicago natives alike. But even if buildings and stories of metropolitan blazes bore you, these tours are still worth checking out - if only for their unparalleled views of Chicago's skyline and relief from the sun on a toasty afternoon.

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
Located just off Michigan Avenue, Wendella has been taking Chicagoans and visitors to the city on distinctive water cruises since 1935. The third-generation, family-owned company has been offering Chicago visitors unique off-shore experiences ever since.

Wendella has a unique educational department that pairs passengers with expert docents full of high-quality information on all things Chicago. They offer "Chicago Architectural Tours", "Chicago at Sunset" tours, "Wine and Waves" tours, as well as group tours and ethnic tours in collaboration with the Polish Museum of America and the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum. They also offer special historical tours on the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. The boats can also be chartered for special and corporate events, including weddings.

Wendella currently has three ships operating in its fleet and the Chicago Water Taxi Service. The ships range in size: the Wendella, which holds 275 passengers; the Ouilmette holds 160 people and the Sunliner which holds 30-60 guests. For more information, check out www.wendellaboats.com or by calling (312)-337-1446.

Odyssey Cruises
Chicago 's most luxurious cruising vessel, the Odyssey has recently undergone a spectacular renovation. With its three enclosed decks and an open-air top deck amazing skyline views abound. Sights include Navy Pier, The Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, the Museum Campus, Sears Tower, The John Hancock Center, and so much more! Odyssey offers lunch, Sunday brunch, dinner, and moonlight cruises, and live entertainment. Jackets for men recommended for dinner cruises. For schedule, pricing, and ticket information, visit Odyssey Cruises online at www.odysseycruises.com.

* Book online or call 888-741-0281

Chicago Line Cruises
For a unique spin on the waterfront architecture tour, check out Chicago Line Cruises. These Chicagoline cruises offer daily rides along the Chicago River or the lakefront - and the option of a history tour, focusing on the city's past instead of its buildings. An architecture tour is also available on the river front. Sight-seers can enjoy the 90-minute history or architecture tours led on one of Chicagoline's three boats; each cruise includes Starbuck's coffee and refreshments. Architecture tours depart from North Pier every hour until 4 p.m. on weekends, and 6 p.m. on weekdays. History tours depart daily at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. www.chicagoline.com

Shoreline Sightseeing
Architecture cruises depart daily from Ogden Slip at Navy Pier. One-hour tours are led by professional and entertaining docents along with a free map/guide that makes a perfect souvenir. Take advantage of multiple departure times from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

For the busy tourist, Shoreline's speedy-but-informative 30-minute Skyline Boat Tour  covers the water-front sight-seeing essentials. The Skyline Boat Tour provides clear glimpses of the cityscape accompanied by an informative presentation on the history of the city. If a lengthier tour appeals, Shoreline's one-hour architecture cruises tour the Chicago River and leave from the Ogden Slip at Navy Pier with multiple departure times 10 a.m. and on.

Also, Water Taxis are available daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Labor Day with limited service in September. Water Taxi docks at Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue Bridge (northeast corner below Equitable Plaza), Sears Tower and Shedd Aquarium. Private charters are available, too--always an interesting option.

Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) Architecture River Cruise Aboard Chicago's First Lady
Support Chicago's architectural scene and board Chicago's First Lady - the Chicago Architecture Foundation's official cruise. A portion of each ticket goes to support architecture education in Chicago. The 90-minute tours are led on Chicago's First Lady, with both open-air and air-conditioned seating available, and detail the architecture and design of more than 50 Chicago buildings. Cruises depart from Riverside Gardens, at Michigan Ave. and Wacker Dr.

    * Weekdays: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
    * Weekends and holidays: 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Anita Dee Yacht Charters
Checking another sight off the list of must-sees isn't the goal of Anita Dee Yachts. These luxurious yachts look to make big celebrations - weddings, anniversaries, retirements - better. From the plush leather couches in the Anita I's dining area, to the sunny observatory on the Anita II, these ships are designed for lavish on-water celebrations. Charters are available year-round, with ships able to accommodate anywhere from 50 to 400 passengers. Rates vary depending on time of day, week and bar package.

www.anitadee.com

Spirit of Chicago
Enjoy a dinner cruise. Or a breakfast cruise. Or a gospel cruise. Or a moonlit cruise. Or a lunchtime cruise. Or, essentially, an anything-to-suit-your-fancy cruise. From a sunset dinner to a Fourth of July fireworks display, Spirit of Chicago cruises boast a variety of floating entertainment options certain to suit even the pickiest of tastes. Accommodating up to 600 people, Spirit of Chicago cruises are perfect for an evening night out or a large company celebration. Boats dock at Navy Pier; rates vary depending on cruise package.

www.spiritcitycruises.com

Mystic blue
Casual meets luxury on Chicago's newest addition to the dinner-cruise trend. Mystic Blue, a four-deck ship accommodating up to 650 people, offers an opulent diner or lunch cruise in a casual, laid-back environment. Launched in 2003, the cruise line takes brunch, mid-day, cocktail, early dinner, later dinner, and ClubMystic cruises. Each cruise includes entertainment – jazz or DJ, varying by deck and sailing choice. Ships depart from Navy pier and ticket prices depend on cruise package.

www.mysticbluecruises.com

Seadog
This isn't one of those "this-building-was-made-in1925" cruises. And it's not a "let-me-tell-you-about-the-great-fire" cruise, either. This is a speedy, hands-up-in-the-air, zip around the lakefront and get-a-bit-wet type of cruise. Seadog's half-hour open air speedboat tours whisk passengers around the lakefront at about 30 knots. The tour is quick, but showcases the city's skyline well and offers a pleasant reprieve on a muggy summer day. Seadog also offers a 75 minute river and architecture tour, that includes a trip through the Chicago Lock. Tours leave from Navy Pier; the River and Architecture tours depart up to 10 times each day, and the Speedboat tours leave up to 50 times each day.

www.seadogcruises.com 

Check out places of interest near Boat Tours:

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
700 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Down home southern cooking themed after the movie “Forrest Gump” is available, offering, you guessed it, shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp. Other options include baby back ribs and other seafood. Kids meals are also available.

Capi's Italian Kitchen
700 E Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

For wide-ranging, authentic Italian food served at Navy Pier in Chicago, Capi's Italian Kitchen gives families the chance to fine-dine without reservations. Wood-stone cooked pizzas (create your own!) and fresh panini sandwiches are offered here, along with salads, pasta, and seafood.

Gino's East
162 E Superior, Chicago, IL 60611

This is the original location of Gino's East, the now-famous Chicago-style pizza restaurant chain.

Smith & Wollensky
318 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This steak location is a Chicago outpost of the New York-based steakhouse chain, which specializes in on-premise dry-aged beef, with choices like a bone-in rib-eye and porterhouse.

Spirit of Chicago
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60605

Take in breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline aboard this luxury liner. Afternoon or evening, experience the city from the waters of Lake Michigan in a social setting.

Urban Shop Guide
815 W. Dickens Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

Urban Shop Guide offers guided, customized shopping tours of Chicago’s trendy neighborhoods, providing visitors access to small boutiques and the essence of Chicago shopping.

 

Odyssey Cruises
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611

A luxurious cruising vessel, the Odyssey has recently undergone a spectacular renovation. The two- or three- hour trips offer lunch, weekend brunch, dinner, moonlight jazz cruises, live entertainment, and magnificent skyline views.

Chicago Architecture Foundation
224 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60602

The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) offers a 88 different tours in total. You can explore the city by bus, boat, bike on foot or even via a segway.

Chicago Line Cruises
455 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60611

Premier boat-based tour service offering cruises focused on architecture, history, or private charters, serving complimentary coffee and muffins.  Group rates available, and tickets available online.

 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60605

Chicago's well-known Shakespeare Theatre located on the fabulous Navy Pier offers classic and contemporary takes on the famous Bard's works.

Mystic Blue Cruises
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60605

Mystic Blue Cruises operates in Chicago on Lake Michigan, offering two-hour lunch, 90-minute mid-day skyline, three-hour dinner and two-hour moonlight cruises. Year-round, weather permitting. Tickets $30-$150. Private charters for 20 or more passengers.

Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave. , Chicago, IL 60605

Navy Pier, one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago and the country, is visited by almost nine million visitors per years. From dining to shopping, boat tours to countless entertainment options, Navy Pier in Chicago is a must-stop for a wide range of visitors--Chicago residents already know and love it!

Odyssey Cruises
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611

A luxurious cruising vessel, the Odyssey has recently undergone a spectacular renovation. The two- or three- hour trips offer lunch, weekend brunch, dinner, moonlight jazz cruises, live entertainment, and magnificent skyline views.

Odyssey Cruises
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611

Break free of the land and see the storied skyline of Chicago from out on Lake Michigan with a boat tour on the Odyssey. A Chicago tradition, this pleasant diversion works for business and pleasure, with the entire family or as a romantic exploit; a top Chicago boat tour.

 

 

Seadog Speedboat Rides
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60605

Take a thrilling cruise along the Chicago lakefront in a high-powered vessel from Seadog Speedboat Rides. Take either a 30-minute lakefront cruise or a 75-minute river architectural cruise on the 130-passenger speedboat. Lakefront cruise: every half hour.

Shoreline Sightseeing
474 N.Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611

Chidago's largest boat touring company offers "Architecture Cruises" from Navy Pier, plus Skyline Boat Tours and Water Taxis. Special fireworks cruises are scheduled seasonally!

Weekend service April and November-daily service from 10:00 am May - October. On Chicago's waterways since 1939. Group rates; buy tickets online or by phone at no additional fee.

Spirit of Chicago
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60605

Take in breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline aboard this luxury liner. Afternoon or evening, experience the city from the waters of Lake Michigan in a social setting.

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Located on the Magnificent Mile, Wendella Boats are guided by expert staff.

 

Chicago Line Cruises
455 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60611

Premier boat-based tour service offering cruises focused on architecture, history, or private charters, serving complimentary coffee and muffins.  Group rates available, and tickets available online.

 

Shoreline Sightseeing
474 N.Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611

Chidago's largest boat touring company offers "Architecture Cruises" from Navy Pier, plus Skyline Boat Tours and Water Taxis. Special fireworks cruises are scheduled seasonally!

Weekend service April and November-daily service from 10:00 am May - October. On Chicago's waterways since 1939. Group rates; buy tickets online or by phone at no additional fee.